Bio-fertilizer developed by IISR is sold at ₹100 a tablet
The use of bio-capsules, a bio-fertilizer technology developed by the Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), is picking up among farmers in place of traditional fertilizers. Scientists with the IISR here attest that the sale of this new product has been on the rise since the lockdown days which witnessed the entry of many young entrepreneurs into the organic-farming sector.
A report released by the IISR on Thursday confirms that the total number of bio-capsules sold to small-scale and large-scale farmers in May 2020 alone is 4,000. Between May and August, 6,000 tablets were sold to farmers in States like Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. There are also farmers from Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and other north Indian States who have started using it.
The bio-capsule priced at ₹100 uses a select combination of beneficial microorganisms such as Trichoderma, Pseudomonas and Bacillus. Unlike the traditional microbial formulations, the novel encapsulation technology developed by a team of scientists led by former IISR Director M. Anandaraj gives it the advantage of easy storage, usage and transport. The production is now being controlled by two licensed private firms with different microorganisms based on the requirements.
Revolutionary technology
The capsule contains the microorganism in an immobilized/inactive condition and the cells can be activated by dissolving the capsule in water. This suspension can be diluted and the seeds or seedlings or rhizomes are soaked in the suspension for 30 minutes before sowing/ transplanting into the main field. The remaining suspension can be used as soil drench. This encapsulation technique can be used for delivering all kinds of agriculturally important micro-organisms, viz., N fixers, nutrient solubilizers/mobilizers, Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR), Trichoderma, Burkholderia, etc.
ADVANTAGES:
- Smart and precise microbial delivery to crops.
- Maintains high microbial population.
- Green technology, totally eco-friendly.
- Low production cost.
- Easy to handle and store.
- High shelf life.
- Production and
- storage at normal temperature.
- Does not require sophisticated equipment for manufacture,
- Can be used to deliver all agriculturally important microorganisms.